WWS 350 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Overexploitation, Fire-Setting, Environmental Degradation
7 Feb 2019
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Document Summary
Reading examines contrast between formulation of problems in development policy and the perspectives of villagers. Synthesis overview writing within development agencies and policy research institutes, and of interagency analytical alignment in development approaches. Helps decision-makers fill the gap between ignorance and expediency. First forest reserves established in 1932 as a protective curtain to stop/slow the spread of fire and farming-induced savannization. People thought the forests were being depleted due to fire-setting and over-farming. Hypothesis that the forest-savannah mosaic was in temporal transition. Didn"t consider other options, i. e. the fact that the transition woodland could represent a stable intermediate form. Botanists observed landscape features and deduced history and people"s impact from them. Many people overlook local people"s environmental experiences and management, as well as historical methods (e. g. oral histories and archive consultation) in understanding environmental influences and trends. Used oral recollections about vegetation use and management from elderly people. Conducted comparative analysis of air photos and data/landscape descriptions found in archives.
